Strategy For A Final Assault On Corruption by Gabriel Zowam, published by Organisation & Productivity Consultants Limited, Gwarimpa 11, Abuja, Nigeria, 2007, pg. 383.

Here comes a final war on corruption. The battle line is drawn for the hydra-headed monster to be demystified, killed and buried. In the words of Gabriel Zowam, author of Strategy For A Final Assault On Corruption, “ corruption is one of the most important governance challenges facing many developing nations. In Nigeria, it has become a major social problem and a serious threat to our new-found democracy.”

Indeed the book is a decisive onslaught on corrupt practices of the leaders and corruption generally. It provides strategies on how to deal and deliver the country out of corruption.

It is a historical analysis as well as a contemporary documentation of burning issues in the nation. It lists out all the core players (leaders) that either fight or perpetrate corruption at one time or the other.

According to the author, although the war is not going to be an easy business especially “ in our environment where corruption is everywhere; and where the political class we are relying on to drive the crusade are the very people who are benefiting from corruption and who perhaps have the most to lose from a successful crusade.” But the truth is that the war must be won.

Therefore, the book is a wake-up call on the new Yar’Adua / Jonathan administration, anti-corruption agencies, States and Local governments, MDAs / Parastatals, private sector operators, political parties, tertiary institutions and the global community to join in the crusade.
Divided into four parts, the first three parts contain 28 Chapters while the last part has
appendixes, schedules of some Nigerian laws, biblography and index.

In the author’s appraisal of Part 1, which has Chapter one to ten, the subject matter is introduced and the author identifies that “ Nigeria’s problem has been that of leadership! Our past leaders largely blew the opportunity to build a great nation and instead created for us a very corrupt society that today seems to subordinate national interests for ethnic and personal interests. For example, we now tend to be more interested in where our compatriots hail from than what they can do!”

The role of leadership in the fight against corruption is elaborately discussed with so many names mentioned. Here, it is indicated that the war against corruption is on two fronts: the war against corruption (WAC) and the war against ‘the war against corruption’ (WaWaC).

The book also portrays that there are three classes of corruption namely; petty vs grand corruption, bureaucratic vs. political corruption and other others. the most common corruption include; bribery, extortion, embezzlement, fraud and conflict of interests. While some causes of corruption are; easy and abundant wealth, foul political system, imbalances in the federation, career insecurity and poor welfare in both public and private sectors, bastardised bureaucracy, past leaders, past ineffective crusades, the paradox of the powerless masses, cultural elasticity etc.

The book indicates that the result of corruption is felt on the economy, it fuels militancy and tribalism, destroys the civil service and educational system, batters the naira, drains the brain and leaves everywhere sapped.

The author cites former President of Tanzania, Nyerere, a man with a penchant for Mao-style suits as an African role model for leadership transparency. Nyerere is said to have dismantled tribalism by advancing Kiswahili as the national language and culture. Always armed with the Holy Bible and the 1967 Arusha Declaration, he actually made his country one of Africa’s most peaceful nations.

He is said to have earned respect for his integrity as his lifestyle was modest to the point of austerity which is in contrast to the excesses of his contemporaries.
The limitations of the current approach to the crusade against corruption is explained in Part 11, which comprises Chapter 11 to 18.

The largest section, Part 111 contains Chapter 19 to 28. This part provides various initiatives to address the limitations identified in Part 11. It also defines a new era in the reformation of Nigeria. What must Nigerians do? There is a clarion call to; support the sensitive assignment given to the anti-corruption agencies, seize the anti-corruption initiative from the political class, back up enforcement, provide new initiatives that will not necessarily put the transparency of the political leaders on the spot and a multifaceted attack on corruption on all sides.

On the whole, Strategy For A Final Assault On Corruption is quite all encompassing and didactic. It touches mainly on the political, economical, the deep-rooted corruption and a way forward of the nation. It is objectively analysed. The ideas, dates and issues discussed are factual. History is re-enacted, today’s events are told and solutions are proffered for a meaningful development of the society.

The book is well written, well explained and well presented. Although the work is a culmination of mainly his personal efforts arising out of a burden to contribute his quota to reshape the nation, the author does not totally rely on his knowledge and perceived ideas but uses other relevant contributions of other writers. These, of course boost the work and makes it a quality piece.

Quotations and wisdom nuggets are used in virtually all chapters to make the work more accessible to readers.
While the lettering is bold and easily readable, the paper used is of quality. It has a glossy cover. The pictures used give more insight into the meaning of the book.

Gabriel Zowam, who is also the author of, Re-inventing The Nigerian Public Service, is an expert on Methods & Procedures. A fellow of the African Institute of Applied Economics (AIAE), Zowam has a deep insight in the dynamics of corruption.

He is a member of the team that brainstormed on and drafted the National Economic Empowerment & development Strategy (NEEDS). Formerly, a Managing Consultant, Coopers & Lybrand Associates, now Price Water House Coopers, the author has over 25 years of versatile experience in Nigeria’s public and private sectors, in the United States and India.